Pakistan, Under Cultural Siege, Is Buoyed by Book Festivals

Religious thugs stopped a Pakistani kite-flying festival, a performing arts festival, but many Pakistanis are rising up, treating writers like rock stars at recent literary festivals. It takes bravery to support the arts in Pakistan where, sadly, 25 million Pakistanis between ages 5 and 16 are deprived of education. Celebrating books is a victory for Pakistanis and secularism over religious thugs who hold back a great nation. -- Sean Faircloth, Dir. of Strategy & Policy